The thing Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips remembers most about Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr. from when they met with him ahead of the 2024 draft?
“Massive, massive hands,” Phillips said Thursday. “Yeah, they were just noticeable.”
Penix, who finished his collegiate career at Washington, was picked by the Falcons No. 8 overall, two picks before the Vikings selected J.J. McCarthy. That was just a few months after the two QBs faced off in the college football national championship game.
With the Falcons visiting U.S. Bank Stadium for “Sunday Night Football” this week, it’s the second straight game the Vikings face a quarterback from that draft class after beating the Bears and No. 1 pick Caleb Williams on Monday.
Phillips, defensive coordinator Brian Flores and Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell have praised Penix, whom they met with in the pre-draft process. He is now in his first full season as starter after taking over for former Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins toward the end of last season.
“Michael Penix is a guy that we studied him a lot, know him very well, and know how talented he is as a thrower of the football,” O’Connell said Wednesday. “He truly excelled at the collegiate level, pushing the ball downfield, finding his receivers and throwing ball guys open, and finding ways to have massive amounts of explosives in a game from the pocket. And then what I think people are starting to learn about him is his ability to affect the game with his athleticism.”
Phillips also touched on Penix’s increased mobility as a pro. The 25-year-old rushed six times for 21 yards and a touchdown in a Week 1 loss to the Buccaneers in addition to completing 27 of 42 passes for 298 yards and another score.
Penix’s prowess as a passer is Flores’ focus for Sunday night, noting the speed at which he gets the ball out of his hands.